The Meditrranean Diet Did you know that europeans that eat a classical mediterranean diet on average live 10 years longer than other europeans? The mediterrean diet detailed below is particularly important for people who are concered about their heart health but this type of fiet is not restricted to heart patients only. One of the major advantages of this type of diet is that it can be used on a long term basis. History The most commonly-understood version of the Mediterranean diet was presented by Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University's School of Public Health in the mid-1990s. Based on "food patterns typical of Crete, much of the rest of Greece, and southern Italy in the early 1960s", this diet, in addition to "regular physical activity," emphasizes "abundant plant foods, fresh fruit as the typical daily dessert, olive oil as the principal source of fat, dairy products (principally cheese and yogurt), and fish and poultry consumed in low to moderate amounts, zero to four eggs consumed weekly, red meat consumed in low amounts, and wine consumed in low to moderate amounts". Total fat in this diet is 25% to 35% of calories, with saturated fat at 8% or less of calories. The diet is often cited as beneficial for being low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat and dietary fiber. It is based on what from the point of view of mainstream nutrition is considered a paradox: that although the people living in Mediterranean countries tend to consume relatively high amounts of fat, they have far lower rates of cardiovascular disease than in countries like the United States, where similar levels of fat consumption are found. A parallel phenomenon is known as the French Paradox. One of the main explanations is thought to be the large amount of olive oil used in the Mediterranean diet. Unlike the high amount of animal fats typical to the American diet, olive oil lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. It is also known to lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure. The principal aspects of this diet include high olive oil consumption, high consumption of legumes, high consumption of unrefined cereals, high consumption of fruits, high consumption of vegetables, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate to high consumption of fish, low consumption of meat and meat products, and moderate wine consumption[9]. Medical research Medical research suggests the explanation is not any particular nutrient, but the combination of nutrients found in unprocessed food. The Seven Countries Study found that Cretan men had exceptionally low death rates from heart disease, despite moderate to high intake of fat. The Cretan diet is similar to other traditional Mediterranean diets: consisting mostly of olive oil, bread, abundant fruit and vegetables, fish, and a moderate amount of dairy foods and wine The Lyon Diet Heart Study set out to mimic the Cretan which included 20% increases in vitamin C rich fruit and bread and decreases in processed and red meat. On this diet, mortality from all causes was reduced by 70%. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal (May 29, 2008), the traditional Mediterranean diet provides substantial protection against type 2 diabetes. Diet Outline The common Mediterranean diet has the following characteristics: high consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds; olive oil as an important monounsaturated fat source; low to moderate amounts of dairy products, fish and poultry, with red meat eaten rarely; eggs consumed up to four times a week; and low to moderate consumption of wine. Olive Oil In Italy and Greece, people do not slather butter on their bread. Rather, they dip it into flavorful extra-virgin olive oil, which is often enhanced with herbs and spices. It is not uncommon for a variety of olives to be used as a pre-dinner appetizer. Most Italian and Greek recipes also call for the use of olive oil when a fat is needed, as opposed to other oils. Any diet based on the Mediterranean will have an abundance of olive oil in it. It is important to remember that the olive oil used is the should be a high quality virgin olive oil and the majority of it should be used fresh as heating the oil damages the important fatty acids like omega 3 and 6. Fruit and vegetables A high intake of fresh fruit and vegetables has been shown to be protective against both heart disease and cancer. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are essential to the success and healthfulness of this diet. Vegetables have a variety of agents that are proven to cholesterol, and they also contain valuable fiber. It is easy to see how weight can be lost and health gained when individuals choose to eat fruit after their dinner as opposed to a slice of pie or other dessert. Try keeping a selection of fruits and vegetables readily available. Tomatoes have come under particular scrutiny because they feature so heavily in Mediterranean food. Tomatoes are indeed a major source of antioxidants and unlike the other fruit and vegitables in this diet can be cooked as the heating process, as in the preparation of tomato sauces is recommended as it increases the availability of lycopene, one of the main antioxidants in tomatoes. Fish It has also been suggested that fish, in particular oily fish such as sardines, have important health benefits. Oily fish are a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats and the complex long chain derivatives of these fats appear to be particularly beneficial to heart health because of their anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory properties, which keeps blood flowing smoothly. Nuts and Legumes Walnuts, like fish, are also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds are high in magnesium, and have been shown to be rich in flavonoids. Dishes featuring legumes are plentiful throughout the region. Lentils, chickpeas, and white beans are all popular choices. Grains Mediterranean, people continue to make breads using whole grains, which are higher in fiber and vitamins. Whenever possible, you should choose whole grains. Processed grains such as white bread are not consumed in this part of the world and should be strongly avoided.
Red Wine Red wine can be taken in moderation which is one to two glasses per day. Red wine has been shown in moderation to be beneficial for high blood pressure and angina, this is due to the high number of natural polyphenols found in it. ALL OTHER FORMS OF ALCOHOL SHOUL BE AVOIDED. Red Meat and Poultry Red meat should be eaten in extreme moderation that is two serving per month. Poultry can be eaten more often but should be eaten less often then fish. Dairy products Dairy products should be eaten in moderation 4 servings per week or less. This includes a cheese and yogurt. Please try and avoid processed cheese. Milk should be avoided if at all possible. Beverages 6 to 8 glasses of water should be consumed daily. Fizzy carbonated drinks should be avoided. Herbal tea such as green tea can be tea is suggested on a daily basis. Coffee should be restricted to one cup per day. Foods to be avoided Please cut out refined sugar products as much as possible, processed foods and artificial sweeteners should be strongly avoided. Pre cooked meals are to be avoided. The emphasis is on fresh food if it comes premade leave it alone. Suggested Recipes White Bean Dip 1 small onion, diced 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 red bell pepper 2 cans navy beans extra-virgin olive oil Saute the onion, the tablespoon of garlic and a diced red bell pepper in virgin olive oil until tender, and onions are translucent. Drain and rinse two cans of white navy beans. Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, drizzle with olive oil. Serve with warm slices of whole wheat pita bread. Mussel soup 1 onion, diced 1 tablespoon minced garlic ? can crushed tomatoes 1 cup Rotelle (round pasta) 1 dozen mussels in their shells 1 pound monkfish ? teaspoon rosemary Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft. Add one quart water, the tomatoes, rosemary and pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste and cook for fifteen minutes. Clean the mussels well and cut the fish into bite-sized pieces. Add to the soup and simmer for another ten minutes. All of the mussel shells should be open at this point. Discard any unopened ones. Serve with crusty bread and olive oil. Grilled Shrimp Salad Ingredients 1 pound large shrimp, deveined 2 to 3 zucchini 1 bunch of asparagus 2 pounds of salad mixture containing endive, radicchio and butter lettuce 1 avocado 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil ? cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons minced garlic ? cup red wine vinegar Directions First of all, combine the last five ingredients and marinate the shrimp in one half of the vinaigrette for ? hour. Then place the shrimp on skewers. Slice the zucchini lengthwise and chop the woody ends off of the asparagus. Place the shrimp, zucchini and asparagus on the grill, and cook until done. Chop zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Put the greens in a bowl, dice the avocado and add it to the greens. Add the shrimp and vegetables from the grill and drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette. Bow Tie Pasta With Tuna and Olive Tapenade 1 16-ounce package bow tie pasta ? cup pitted green olives 1 tablespoon minced garlic ? cup parsley 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 pound tuna steak Put the olives, garlic, parsley, olive oil and lemon justice in a food processor and blend until pureed. Add sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Add water until you have the consistency of a sauce, about ? cup. Cut the tuna steak into strips two inches wide. Saut? in a frying pan over medium heat with a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. Cook until done. Cook the bow ties for about 14 minutes, or until done. Drain and add tuna. Drizzle the tapenade sauce on top. Mediterranean Chicken Stew Ingredients 8 bone-in (with skin) pieces of chicken, or a whole chicken cut into pieces 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 shallot, minced 1 clove garlic - peeled 1 stick cinnamon 2 bay leaves 8 fresh oregano leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano) 1 cup dry white wine 10 prunes - whole 1 ounce pine nuts - whole 1 cup chicken broth Salt (Optional) Black olives to garnish Instructions 1. Salt the chicken and set aside 2. In a medium stew or casserole pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the shallot and cook until it is nearly translucent. Add the garlic and cinnamon and cook into the garlic is just golden. 3. Add the chicken, oregano and bay leaves. Cook until the chicken is golden brown, approximately 5 minutes on each side. 4. Add the white wine and allow it to reduce until it is almost gone. 5. Add the chicken broth, prunes and pine nuts and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and allow it to simmer for approximately 30 minutes. 6. Serve over moderate portions of rice Nutritional Products Nutritherapy specializes in heart nutrition this comes about as a result of the extensive research and collaboration performed by Dr P.M. Rowan (MBBCh) with world renowned nutritional experts such as Dr M. Rath Author of “Eradicating Heart Disease” and Dr M Sircus author of “ Survival Medicine for the 21st Century”. Recent research published by Dr S Sinatra in his ground breaking book “Metabolic Cardiology the Sinatra Solution” will also contribute to the nutritional profile we have developed. Required Nutrients Nutri-Sweep: 3 Heaped Teaspoons daily Ingredients: Vitamin C, MSM, Inosoitol,Vitamin A,B1,B2,B6,B12,D3,E, Nicotinamide, Pantathenic Acid, Folic Acid, Biotin, Grape Seed Extract, Calcium, Boron, Vanadium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Selenium, Chromium, Molybdenum, Proline, Lysine, Carnatine, Co Enzyme Q10 and Green Tea Extract TMG / Trimethyl Glycine :1 teaspoon daily Trimethly Glycine is primarily used to lower the Homocysteine Level an important cardiac marker and risk factor in heart disease. Co-enzyme Q10 :an additional 50g daily ( one capsule ) L-Carnitine : additional 1000g daily ( two capsules twice daily) D-Ribose-:10 grams daily ( one teaspoon twice daily) Exercise Daily exercise is also a fundamental part of this programme, 15 to 20 minutes of walking is suggested in the initial period of treatment. |